Hudson River Anchorages

Oil barge at Kingston, Carolyn Marks Blackwood

Anchorages of commercial vessels can present hazards to public safety and boating, pose spill risks, cause noise and light pollution, threaten important submerged cables, damage native species habitat, and affect waterfront tourism.

Riverkeeper and the public have made clear that we want strict limits on where, and for how long, commercial vessels are allowed to anchor in the Hudson River. Often carrying hazardous cargo, these large ships can pose a threat to drinking water supplies, as well as the river’s ecosystem.

Riverkeeper continues working to protect the Hudson and its communities from the threats posed by hazardous cargo. Learn more in the timeline overview below these in-depth resources, and get involved by signing up for email updates.

• • Riverkeeper statement on proposed Hudson River Protection Act
  • Riverkeeper celebrates reversal of U.S. Coast Guard Policy on Hudson River Anchoring
  • Hudson River anchorages: It’s time to stand up for the river again
  • Riverkeeper’s letter to the Coast Guard, September 19, 2023

• Timeline
  

  2024
  The Hudson River Protection Act, which permanently bans the creation of additional anchorages between Yonkers and Kingston passes the House of Representatives and heads to the Senate.

  2023
  The Coast Guard issues a report to Congress containing its findings, conclusions and recommendations from its 2021 study of the Hudson north of Tarrytown to examine vessel traffic, including vessel types, sizes, cargoes, and frequency of transit, as well as the risks and benefits of establishing.

  The Coast Guard withdraws its 2016 proposal to establish new Anchorage Grounds in the Hudson.

  The Coast Guard redefines the boundaries of the Port of New York to include only the portion of the Hudson River within roughly 25 miles of the Statue of Liberty. Under this policy, mariners operating outside this region can anchor virtually anywhere along the Hudson, including outside of designated anchorages.

  Riverkeeper alerts the Coast Guard that its policy was illegal, as well as a threat to the public and the environment. Our action led the agency to reverse course and restore the boundaries of the Port of New York to include the Hudson River from New York Harbor to Albany.

  Congressmen Ryan, Molinaro, and Lawler introduce the Hudson River Protection Act (detailed above).

  2021
  Congress adopts the Elijah E. Cummings Act, which prohibits the establishment of new Anchorage Grounds in the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston.

  2017
  The Coast Guard receives over 10,0000 comments in opposition to its 2016 proposal to establish 10 new Anchorage Grounds in the Hudson from Yonkers to Kingston. After a review of the comments, the agency suspends rulemaking and begins to identify and evaluate risks in the Hudson River.

  In November, the Coast Guard conducts workshops to assess navigation safety on the Hudson and releases a follow-up report.

  2015
  Vessels are prohibited from anchoring in the Port of New York outside of the seven established Anchorage Grounds in the Hudson River, except in emergencies. Only one anchorage (Hyde Park) is located north of the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge.

  The Coast Guard receives reports of commercial vessels anchoring in the Hudson River between Yonkers and Albany outside of designated Anchorage Grounds.

  In response, the Coast Guard issues a reminder to mariners of the requirement to only anchor at designated Anchorage Grounds in the Hudson.

  The Maritime Association of the Port of New York/New Jersey Tug and Barge Committee requests additional anchorages in the Hudson River.